Sounds like you need a better knot (square knot) or the screw on the strainer is loosening.

Thanks.

I took it into a local drum shop. They had no idea about vintage drums.

But the guy did say that he thought there might be a piece of hardware missing on the mount on the opposite side of the throw-off:

PIC:

http://i.imgur.com/yuAht.jpg

Does anyone have any images of old John Grey Broadway snares that might help me figure out if there is some hardware missing or whether I'm just tying a bad knot ? (Well, I know I'm tying a bad knot). But what about the throw -off hardware? Anyone familiar with this?

Thanks

B'way - lose that stupid vinyl covered wire you're using and cut a couple of pieces of construction cord instead.

1. Position the snares on the bottom head so that they are centered on the head. -same distance from end of snares to bearing edges on both sides.-

2. Attach the cord to the butt-side and lock down.

3. Loosen the tension on the strainer and have it set in the 'off' position.

4. Tie the cord to the strainer side using only half a knot. You want it to hold but be able to slip a bit.

5. Put strainer in 'on' position and finish tying the knot.

6. Tension the strainer until snares are as loose or as tight as you like them.

It's that damn vinyl covered wire you're using that's causing you problems.

John

Yes Sir Six perfect, concise steps to mounting non-bridged snares. Nothing more needs be said. Lock this thread out and let's go home.

Thanks! I will give construction cord a try and let you know how it goes.

While we're on the subject - I have one other related question - the snare throw off arm only seems to "lock" if the throw off is not tightly screwed to the shell. There is a little plate that pushes down against the shell when the arm locks and if i tighten the throw off completely to the shell, the plate won't go down enough to lock the throw off arm. But when i keep it just slightly loose from the shell, the entire mechanism works fine. Anyone have any idea why they'd make it this way? Or am i doing something wrong (again)? Basically, it seems that the throw off housing needs to have a little play to move up away from the shell when the arm locks. Does that seem correct? Or should the housing be tightly scrwed to the shell (in which case the arm just sort of swings loosely). I can post a video or something if that would help.

Thanks again for the heads up on the crappy coated strings! You guys are all really helpful!

B'way, -photo for ya...

You wrote: when i keep it just slightly loose from the shell, the entire mechanism works fine.

You've answered your own question! Are there washers/spacers missing?

John

Update and a few questions:

Finally got my vintage john grey broadway snare up and running again.

Here's what fixed it:

1. I used masonry string instead of the vinyl coated steel snare cord (thanks purdie shuffle)

2. I placed two small hex nuts on the outside of the shell, beneath the throw-off mount to create a little space for the mount to angle down when in the "on position". This way the shell doesn't stop the throw-off from engaging.

3. I took off the new 20-wire snare I bought and put the old crummy 14-wire snare back on. There was too much rattle with the new 20-wire snare. Anyone have any ideas why? Also, any suggestions on how to restore the crummy old original snare wires? They are basically a dark brown/black instead of silver.

Now it sounds like a snare drum, although there is still a bit of a rattle, that is the snare "pop" isn't completely crisp - a bit of an after-tone when I strike it. Anyone have any suggestions on this? I've got the cord as tight as I can get it.

Thanks to everyone for the help!

Check the with of your snare beds,if you have them at all.I suspect that they may be too narrow for the 20 wire,but just right for the 14.Tune the reso head tighter than the batter side,and try detuning the reso side lugs to the left and right of the snares just slightly.

Steve B

+1 - what Steve said... and here's something that will help you tuning-wise.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxm3QunDjUs[/ame]

John